From the street, The Pinnacle appears unnervingly high and potentially difficult to walk. The good news is that it is not, and the views from the lookout make every bit of effort worthwhile. It is one of the very best vantage points in the Grampians National Park for terrific scenic views over a vast expanse of western Victoria.
There are a number of walking options to reach The Pinnacle, varying in distance and difficulty. The easiest route to The Pinnacle departs from the Sundial carpark within the national park and ascends to The Pinnacle via Devils Gap. This is the best route to use if young children or unconfident walkers are part of your walking group. The 4.2km walk will take one and a half to two hours for the return trip. It does include some water crossings and rock-hopping, so good sturdy shoes are essential.
A more challenging walk departs from the aptly named Wonderland carpark and ascends via the impressive Grand Canyon. It does not resemble the American canyon of the same name but is equally impressive with its unique Australian rock formations, albeit on a smaller scale! The walk continues through the Silent Street before rising up to The Pinnacle.
For the really adventurous, you can walk to The Pinnacle from the base of the mountains, starting at the Halls Gap caravan park. This extended walk will take around five hours return so is suitable for fit and experienced walkers.
All these walks offer a variety of incredible rock formations to see and negotiate, as well as lush vegetation that has recovered from bushfires with fresh spurts of new growth. In springtime, wildflowers burst into life with their brilliant bright colours. With an abundance of wildlife living in the park, your walk may also include glimpses of koalas, kangaroos, snakes, skinks and maybe even an echidna or two.
Whichever way you get there, the view from The Pinnacle lookout will astound you. While you get your breath back after your ascent, you will be able to see Halls Gap far below you, as well as Lake Bellfield. Plus you will get a close-up look at the irregular and fascinating rock formations for which the Grampians are so well-known.
A more challenging walk departs from the aptly named Wonderland carpark and ascends via the impressive Grand Canyon. It does not resemble the American canyon of the same name but is equally impressive with its unique Australian rock formations, albeit on a smaller scale! The walk continues through the Silent Street before rising up to The Pinnacle.
For the really adventurous, you can walk to The Pinnacle from the base of the mountains, starting at the Halls Gap caravan park. This extended walk will take around five hours return so is suitable for fit and experienced walkers.
All these walks offer a variety of incredible rock formations to see and negotiate, as well as lush vegetation that has recovered from bushfires with fresh spurts of new growth. In springtime, wildflowers burst into life with their brilliant bright colours. With an abundance of wildlife living in the park, your walk may also include glimpses of koalas, kangaroos, snakes, skinks and maybe even an echidna or two.
Whichever way you get there, the view from The Pinnacle lookout will astound you. While you get your breath back after your ascent, you will be able to see Halls Gap far below you, as well as Lake Bellfield. Plus you will get a close-up look at the irregular and fascinating rock formations for which the Grampians are so well-known.
The Pinnacle walks
Hiking and bushwalking
Witness breathtaking natural scenery at some of Victoria’s most iconic places when you lace up your boots and take to a hiking trail.
Bird watching
From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot.
Wildlife viewing
Get up close and personal with some of Australia's shy native wildlife or look up to spot tree-dwelling mammals and flocks of colourful birds,
Brambuk The National Park and Culture Centre
Brambuk The National Park and Cultural Centre in Halls Gap began with the building of the Brambuk Cultural Centre in 1989 to acknowledge, protect and share the cultures of the Jadawadjali and Djab Wurrung Peoples.
How to get there
The Pinnacle walks
Grampians National Park is located in Western Victoria, a three-hour (260km) drive from Melbourne and a five-hour (460km) drive from Adelaide. The central Grampians is easily accessed from the villages of Halls Gap and Wartook and is a scenic day trip from the regional towns of Hamilton, Horsham, Stawell and Ararat. It is also a key destination on the internationally renowned Great Southern Touring Route.
When you're there
Download the Grampians National Park visitor guide for more information about the park and the plethora of experiences to be had within its borders.
Need to know
The Pinnacle walks
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
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Mount Difficult Summit Walk (Grampians National Park)
Mt Difficult Closures - Grampians Peaks Trail Air Operations
Until August 31st 2021, official walking track closures will be in place in the Mt Difficult Range to accommodate for aircraft operations and on ground construction of the Grampians Peaks Trail.To ensure visitor safety, there will be no access beyond Briggs Bluff to Mt Difficult summit and into the Mt Difficult road area via Longpoint East and West firelines. The Mt Difficult overnight walk is closed.On the day of aircraft operations, walking tracks to Beehive Falls, lower water falls of Gar and Briggs Bluff will close temporarily. There will also be road closures on Roses Gap Road.There will also be airlift operations in the Mt William area and Dunkeld/Mt Abrupt areas.Notifications will be placed closer to the date of operations.For further information please contact Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre Ph 8427 2058, or the Parks Victoria Information line 13 19 63Attachments: Track Closures - Mt Difficult Air Ops July15_ (835KB)
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Notices Affecting Multiple Parks
Seasonal road closures 2021
Some roads in this park are subject to seasonal road closures. Seasonal road closures generally operate after the long weekend in June through to the end of October, but may be extended due to seasonal conditions. Visit the seasonal road closures page for maps and more information.
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Plantation Campground (Mount Difficult Plantation Campground)
Mt Zero Road Closure
Mt Zero road will be closed due to recent road works and poor weather conditions.Mt Zero Road Closure
Mt Zero road will be closed due to recent road works and poor weather conditions.Mt Zero Road Closure
Mt Zero road will be closed due to recent road works and poor weather conditions.Mt Zero Road Closure
Mt Zero road will be closed due to recent road works and poor weather conditions.
Similar experiences
Reeds Lookout
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Flinders Peak Lookout
Starting from the Turntable car park, this walk takes you to the highest point of the You Yangs. This is a challenging walk featuring 450 steps and rising 200m in elevation.
The Horn
Enjoy a picnic with a view at The Horn before climbing to the highest point in Mount Buffalo National Park and surveying the folded mountains of the Great Dividing Range stretching into the distance.
